LETTER: Indian Point is safe

Contrary to claims made in Kenny Satterlee's letter (Nov. 26), the Indian Point Energy Center is designed to withstand extreme weather related events, including tornado-force winds, earthquakes, flooding and terrorism.

The two nuclear power plants withstood the effects of Hurricane Sandy very well, as it did Tropical Storm Irene a year ago. Historically, flooding at the site has been virtually non-existent. (One of the units safely shut down during Hurricane Sandy as a result of a problem on the grid and away from the plant.)

Advertisement

Satterlee's statement comparing Indian Point's seismic capability to other plants comes from a misleading online news story that did not have all the facts and was later criticized by the Nuclear Regulatory Commission. In fact, Indian Point's capability to withstand a seismic event far exceeds any that have ever been recorded in this region. The plant's seismic equipment has built-in margins of safety approved by the NRC that we are again reviewing to further ensure safety.

Additionally, Indian Point has layers upon layers of safety and security systems and programs that include back-ups to the back-ups and continuous training to help ensure safe operation or shutdown during natural or potential security related events. A demonstration of that rigor is taking place at Indian Point with several days of security exercises being evaluated by the NRC.

Entergy, the owner of Indian Point, has invested more than $1 billion since purchasing the two units from New York State and Con Ed and has applied for a renewed license to continue operating this important facility for an additional 20 years. After performing exhaustive equipment and environmental reviews, including poring through documents, the NRC staff has stated Indian Point is a safe plant and can operate safely during the extended license period.

Indian Point reliably provides 25 percent of New York City and Westchester County's electricity, with virtually no greenhouse gas emissions. We are committed to safely operating this major part of the state's energy infrastructure for as long as it benefits New Yorkers.

JERRY NAPPI

Buchanan

jnappi@entergy.com

The writer is communications manager, Entergy Indian Point Energy Center.